The fourth annual Florida Hispanic Heritage Month runs through October 15 to
pay tribute to Florida's Hispanic culture. The theme for this year's
celebration is "La Florida: Honoring Our State's Spanish and Latin American
Influences." Celebrate the achievements and contributions of our state's
Spanish-speaking cultures and communities with Floridians across the state
to honor and embrace our state's rich heritage.

This month honors the independence days of seven Latin American countries --
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Chile –
and recognizes the discovery of America. The first event in Florida’s
recorded history was the landing of Ponce De Leon in 1513. Since then,
Spanish-speakers have converged in Florida, giving it one of the most unique
and diverse Hispanic populations in the world.

An exhibition of Latin American art, featuring relevant modern and
contemporary works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Fernando Botero, Rufino
Tamayo, Guillermo Muñoz Vera, Roberto Matta and Pablo Atchugarry, are on
display in the Governor’s Mansion from September 15 to October 15, and the
show is open to the public by appointment. The Governor and First Lady were
joined at the event’s opening by Mexican businessman and telecommunications
mogul Carlos Slim Helú along with Hispanic business, community and cultural
leaders from across the state.